Publish
And Be In Demand
By Michael Levy
If you want to earn a little money by becoming a self published author, then
start out with a lot of money. It is very doubtful you will make any money by
publishing your own books. However, if you wait for a large publishing house to
accept you... hell may have to freeze over first.
"It
does not matter how slowly you go... so long as you do not stop."
- Confucius
Some people believe they have the talent to become famous authors and, no doubt,
they are legends in their own minds. But having talent and being a good writer
does not mean you will find success as an author. It just means you are a good
writer. Many badly written books become best sellers, whilst many wonderful
works go unnoticed. Nobody said we live in a fair world.
"The
maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos
and Old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of ... Wild,
Creative Delight."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are other folks who say they could never become authors because they have
not perfected their style yet. Some say they have nothing to write about. Well,
everybody has something to share with the world even if it is how they continue
to fail. In fact, negativity seems to be more acceptable to the public than
positivity. Books that make the public cry, dramatize life, or scare them seem
to be the ones on the bestseller list more often.
"Not
knowing when the dawn will come... I open every door."
- Emily Dickinson
The first thing new self-published authors have to realize is they will most
likely be rejected by the media and general public unless they can afford the
services of a reputable publicist. And there are many non-reputable scam
merchant publicists out in the publishing world waiting for the next starry-eyed
sucker to come along. Many pitfalls await a new author and unscrupulous
predators await around every corner. They all seem very friendly, but if they
are buttering you up... be careful you are not the roast of the day. You can
also take advantage a 'pay-for-placement publicist' and for 'only' $3000 you can
have your name mentioned in a top magazine and they will even quote you as an
expert. (Only recommenced for those authors with a driving ego and deep pockets.)
"I
passionately hate the idea of being with it... I think an artist has always to
be out of step with his time." - Orson Welles
Never, ever go into debt to sell books. The self-publishing world is filled with
many people who will eagerly take your money and promise you great exposure.
Most times you will lose your money and feel very disappointed. So the second
thing to realize is... do not have any expectations of making the big time. Just
publish your book for the fun of it. If you can find someone to help you as a
partner with no money up front, who will share the profits they make for you,
then that is the best solution of all. When your book does sell a million copies
then it will be a very pleasant, welcome surprise. It will be a bonus... for you
only set out to enjoy the journey. The reality that you generated fame and
fortune along the way is just the icing on the cake... it is not the cake
itself.
"The
mind is not a vessel to be filled... but a fire to be ignited." - Plutarch
Now that you have heard all the good news, how are you going to actually publish
your book?
• Are you going to get a good copy and format editor? (Recommended for first
timers and for veteran writers.)
• Are you going to get a good traditional printer ? (Only recommended for
people with deep pockets, for large print runs are required.)
• Are you going to get a publicist? (Even deeper pockets needed.)
• Are you going to get a literary agent? (Good ones are very
selective.)
• Are you going to publish an e-book and sell it through the Internet?
• Are you going to use a print-on-demand publisher? (Recommended for most
folks with little money to spare and can be combined with an e-book.) Do a
search on the Internet and find the best on-demand publisher who is fair and
genuinely wants to help you succeed.
"I
am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to
the world."
--Mother Teresa
Publishing your own book can be a very enjoyable experience, or it can become a
tortuous, depressing event. It will all depend on how you set up your mind's
prospects for success. With 70,000, or is it 700,000 (what does one more naught
matter) new books published each year, the chances of becoming rich and famous
are slim. But to die with your book still inside you is to have wasted your life
on earth.
"All
that is gold does not glitter... not all those who wander are lost."
--J.R.R. Tolkein
Once you have published your book, you are a success. No matter what your
friends and family may say, you have published and they have not. No matter what
negativity the media communicates, they are just doing their job and you are
still a published author. They, on the other hand, probably are not. Remember
what Moliere said: "Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for the
love, and then for a few close friends, and then for the money."
There are some great websites that help authors find their niche market. If you
write to the owners of the site, they will be delighted to help you find the
correct highway to travel on shaping your dreams into a reality.
"Happiness
is when what you think.... what you say and what you do are in harmony." -
Gandhi
Publish
your book, enjoy the experience, and know you are successful by your actions and
deeds... not by other people's opinions. Now, set up a website to sell your
book. Submit your link to other websites and search engines. Be persistent in
all your endeavors. Be patient in all your pursuits. Be perseverant in your
approach to prosperity. And most important of all... be helpful to others.
"If
one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams... and endeavors to live
the life he has imagined... he will meet with a success unexpected in common
hours."
- Henry David Thoreau
About
the Author
Michael
Levy was born in Manchester, England on the 6th March 1945. After many life
experiences and a successful business career he retired to Florida in 1992.
In
1998 Michael established Point of Life, Inc., as a vehicle to project his
philosophy and spiritual understanding. The website www.pointoflife.com
and the associated newsletter (Point Of Life Global Newsletter) are visited and
read by thousands of people around the world every month. Michael is a frequent
speaker on radio, television and at seminars where he shares and discusses his
views about the purpose of life, finding peace and enjoyment and leading a
healthy, stress-free life.
In just a few years he has become a world-renowned poet. In 2002 Michael was
invited to become a member of the prestigious Templeton Speaker's Bureau.
Michael has recently established the Point of Life Foundation, a National
Heritage Foundation dedicated to bridging the gap between science and religion
and to bringing a clear, unbiased message to the general public to help them
lead a meaningful, sharing and enjoyable existence. Starting in 2003 the Point
of Life Foundation will present seminars and conferences bringing together
opinion leaders from the fields of science, religion, medicine, philosophy and
nutrition to help find common guidelines for leading a purposeful life.
Michael Levy is the author four books: "What is the Point?" (ISBN
0966806905), "Minds of Blue Souls of Gold" (ISBN 0966806913),
"Enjoy Yourself - It's Later Than You Think" (ISBN 0966806921) and
"Invest with a Genius" (ISBN 0966806948). His poetry and essays now
grace many websites, journals and magazines throughout the world. His
philosophies have become a major source of truth, wisdom and love for many world
organizations.
Web
Sites : http://www.pointoflife.com and http://www.polfoundation.org
E-mail: mikmikl@aol.com
